Assisted living in Florida: how it is licensed.
Who licenses assisted living in Florida, and what to check before you choose.
What Florida calls it
In Florida, assisted living is licensed under the term “Assisted Living Facility (ALF)”. Other states use different names, so it helps to know the exact term when you search.
Who licenses and inspects
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Assisted Living Unit is the agency that licenses these communities. It is the official place to check a community’s license and inspection history. The state also lists an official facility search tool.
Paying for care
Medicare generally does not cover long term custodial care.
Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration lists Assisted Living among the home and community-based services in its Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program, for people 18 and older who need nursing home level of care and meet Medicaid financial rules.
Checking a community
Florida's Health Finder site offers a facility locator with an assisted living facility compare option and an Inspection Reports/Final Orders search; the page does not specify what appears on each assisted living profile.
Help and complaints
Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program supports residents of long term care and their families.
Also worth knowing in Florida
Florida assisted living facilities hold either a Standard license or a Specialty license (Extended Congregate Care, Limited Mental Health or Limited Nursing Services), according to the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Sources we checked (October 2026)
Licensing rules change. We checked the pages below. Confirm with the state agency.
Questions
Who regulates assisted living in Florida?
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Assisted Living Unit.